Chisato ShizumeA deep blue face wash soap with Japanese Indigo extract, ‘Indigo Balancing Soap’ is now on sale from amritara, an organic cosmetics company based in Tokyo. The product attracts the eye by its alluring color, but that’s not the only benefit of adding Indigo extract; amritara also focused on its medicinal effect.
Japanese Indigo, also known as Persicaria tinctorial, is a plant used for Japanese traditional dye called ‘Aizome.’ Its deep blue color has been treasured in Japan for centuries. The plant is said to have been introduced to Japan from East-Asian countries almost 1300 years ago. However, back then, Indigo was used to dye clothes for the upper class. Then, by the late 16th century, Ai-zome became very popular among common people. During Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1603) and Edo period (1603-1868), many Japanese Indigo were grown in Tokushima prefecture for Aizome. Besides its appealing color, people knew clothes dyed with Japanese Indigo deodorize as well as repel insects. And Japanese samurai, aristocratic warriors, used Ai-zome underwear because the pharmacological effect of Japanese indigo was believed to heal sword cuts.
In recent years, clinical studies showed Japanese Indigo contains beauty components such as antibacterial substance and antioxidant that improves the natural balance of the skin, suggesting the nature of indigo is suitable for a facial cleanser ingredient. Besides indigo, amritara’s soap is made from organic extra virgin olive oil, water, coconut oil, shea butter and lavender oil. Japanese Indigo extract cleanses the skin and prevents acne, whereas lavender oil gives the genuine lavender scent and three different oils moisturize the skin. During the production process, heat used to melt the mixture of oils is kept low (around 50℃), so not to damage the ingredients.
Three oils used in the soap each work differently to moisturize and tone the skin; organic olive oil that is produced in Spain contains oleic acid, which penetrates and moisturizes; coconut oil from India contains lauric acid that penetrates deeper into skin; and fair-trade shea butter made in West Africa has trace elements and natural moisturizing components. These oils keep the skin well moisturized as Indigo extract gently cleanses. Indigo Balancing Soap is now available at Amritara’s online shopping site for 2,500 yen each.
